The 39th edition of the Independence Three-Stage road race set for this weekend, is creating quite a buzz in the cycling community.
The recent arrival of USA-based Team Foundation standouts, Raynauth Jeffrey and Jamual John, have added more hype to the longest tenured and most prestigious cycling event in the 592.
Word on the circuit suggests that John and Jeffrey, although teammates, are fierce rivals and will both be throttling for the top podium spot.
Last year’s winner, Briton John, listed among the favorites, would be lurking, looking for a repeat. However, Team Evolutions trio of Paul DeNobrega, Christopher Griffith and Curtis Dey could throw a wrench in the spokes of the potential podium dwellers.
Thanks to wins by Griffith and most recently DeNobrega, Team Evolution swept the podium and then placed first and third in the last two races.
Dey, a former national road race champion could also be the man who finishes on top when the dust settles. Riders like Deeraj Garbarran, Walter Grant-Stuart, and Alex Mendes could also spring upsets if the favourites get caught up in a cat and mouse game.
A thrilling weekend of racing is envisioned. The event gets off to a fast start tomorrow morning at Corriverton from 07:30hrs and will proceed to New Amsterdam for the finish.
The grueling second stage, also tomorrow, will start at 14:00hrs from Rosignol and journey to Georgetown for the finish at Carifesta Avenue.
On Sunday, the third and final stage will commence from Kara Kara, Linden (from 07:30hrs). The peloton will finish on Homestretch Avenue.
Last year, We Stand United’s John clocked six hours, 56 minutes, and 57 seconds (6:56:57) across the three stages to take the event’s overall title. Jamual John placed second with a time of 6:57:09, with DeNobrega third at 7:01:56.
Jeffrey placed fourth with an overall time of 7:02:17. Griffith finished six seconds behind Jeffrey for the fifth overall position (7:02:23).
Overall, Linden Bauxite Flyers Cycle Club’s Suzanne Hamilton finished ahead of Shenika Teixeira and Aneisha Crandon in the female category.
